Apparatus, System and Method for Recovery of Artifacts and Eradication of Invasive Species in Aquatic Environments

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system and method for recovery of artifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquatic environments. The structure may comprise an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends. The structure may have an open bore vertical support operably coupled to the first and second ends. Each end extends into the open bore vertical support and rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle. The at least one apron bladder is contained in the open bore vertical support and at least one apron bladder is between the end of the vertical support and the bottom of the body of water. A method of using the apparatus, comprising providing an apparatus having variable volume first and second compartments separated by a flexible bladder blanket divider; and introducing agents through openings in the bladder to control the growth of or kill the invasive organisms.

The present patent application is a continuation application claimingpriority from non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/688,860 (filedMar. 20, 2007 and entitled “Apparatus, System and Method for Recovery ofArtifacts and Eradication of Invasive Species in Aquatic Environments”)which claimed priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/783,794(filed Mar. 20, 2006 and entitled “Stretch Exploration Process ForArchaeological Investigative Research And Artifact Recovery Tool AndAquatic Controlled Eradication Systems”).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to preservation of our naturalresources, and more particularly, to an apparatus, system and method forrecovery of artifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquaticenvironments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that some naturally occurring bodies of water such aslakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams have become contaminated withchemicals, such as, for example, with polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”)or chlorinated dioxins. These same bodies of water may house buriedartifacts having historical value, because of which, recovery of theartifacts is desirable.

Alternatively, there have been reports of proliferation of invasiveplant species in bodies of water. Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil,ruffe, and other invasive species pose a severe threat to waters andnative aquatic plants and animals. Hydrilla is one example of a veryinvasive plant found “hitchhiking” on rootstocks of ornamental aquaticplants.

There is a need for an apparatus, system and method for recovery ofartifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquatic environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forrecovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, orrestoring plant life, comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider having first and second ends, wherein each end rests on at leastone apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and wherein each apronbladder is between the respective end of the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider and the bottom of a body of water.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of recoveringhistorical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or revegetatingplant life in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising:providing an apparatus comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider having first and second ends, wherein each end rests on at leastone apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and wherein each apronbladder is between the respective end of the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider and the bottom of a body of water; and releasablysealing the at least one apron bladder to the bottom of the body ofwater.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a system for recoveringhistorical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or restoring plantlife in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising: a watercraft; an apparatus comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider having first and second ends, wherein each end rests on at leastone apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, and wherein each apronbladder is between the respective end of the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider and the bottom of a body of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus forrecovery of artifacts and eradication of invasive species in aquaticenvironments, the apparatus comprising a flexible bladder blanketdivider, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front cross-sectional view of the elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider of FIG. 1, showing exploded views of devicesinserted through the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a flow chart of a method for recoveringhistorical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or revegetatingplant life, such as using growth packet; according to embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an apparatus 200 for removing and treating materials in abody of water, disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/918,257,authored by the same inventor, Thomas J. Kryzak, as the currentapplication, and is hereby incorporated by reference;

FIGS. 5, 9, 10, and 11 depict front cross-sectional views of theinterlinking network of reinforcing bundles, according to embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus forrecovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, orrestoring plant life, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method for controlling invasiveorganisms such as milfoil, zebra mussels, certain plants that grow outof control, according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8 a-f depict a front cross-sectional view of the apron bundlesconfigured into Frame Apron Bladder Bundles (FABBs), according toembodiments of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus 100,such as a “Boxplorer” System to aid in the use of an ArchaeologicalInvestigative Research & Artifact Recovery tool (AIR & ART) known as theArchaeological Box Explorer (ABE), wherein an open side 90 of theapparatus 100 may be facing a bottom 80 of the body of water 83, and anedge 82 of an apron bladder 104 of an apron bladder bundle 105 of theapparatus 100 may be directly and physically in contact with the bottom80 of the body of water 83, so that the contained area of water andsuspended sediment 152, the contained precipitated sediment 78 and thecontained mud 85 may be essentially completely isolated or separatedfrom an uncontained area of water and suspended sediment 150, and theprecipitated sediment 78′ and the uncontained mud 85′ outside theapparatus 100. The body of water 83 comprises a surface 81, water andsuspended sediment 150 and the bottom 80 of the body of water 83,wherein the bottom 80 of the body of water 83 may include sediment 78′,mud 85′ and bedrock 87 and may be adjacent to a body of land 160, suchas, for example, a water along a shore, water along an edge of a river,water along an edge of a lakefront, or water along an edge of a beach.The contained precipitated sediment portion 78 and an uncontainedprecipitated sediment portion 78′, may be, for example, contaminatedmaterial, the contained mud portion 85 and the uncontained mud portion85′ may be a mixture of earth and water so as to be adhesive, and thebedrock portion 87 may be rock, shale or other hard material thatsupports the mud, 85 and 85′ and/or sediment, 78 and 78′. In some cases,some or all of the contained sediment portion 78 and uncontainedsediment portion 78′, and/or the contained mud portion 85 and theuncontained mud portion 85′ of the bottom 80 of the body of water 83 maycontain levels of chemical contamination, such that the levels ofchemical contamination may be unhealthful or toxic to people, wildlife,such as fish, or plant life living in the body of water 83. The chemicalcontamination may be heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or other metalssuch as chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, or organics, such aspolychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), dioxins, or halogenated or aromaticsolvents such as trichloroethylene, toluene or benzene. Said levels maybe as low as 0 to 100 parts per trillion by weight, for example, or atthe minimum detection limit of modern analytical instruments forquantifying the level of chemical contamination. In cases for which thelevels of contamination may be unhealthful or toxic, it may be desirableor necessary to remove the chemically contaminated portions from thebottom 80 using the apparatus 100 as depicted in FIG. 1.

The apparatus 100 may comprise: viewing devices 105 a and 105 b, such aswaterproof cameras, may be used to display the contained area of waterand suspended sediment 152. The apparatus 100 may be a Bladder BoundarySystem (BBS) or any other appropriate container having water-proofwalls. The apparatus 100 uses Bladder Sheets (BSS) 50 capable of flexingand shaping to hold artifacts 76 which may have historical or antiquevalue in place. The Bladder Sheets (BBS) may have multiple layers 51that comprise a flexible bladder blanket divider 49.

The apparatus 100 comprises: an elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider 49 having first and second lateral ends 250, 255 and first andsecond vertical ends 260, 265; an open bore vertical support 110operably coupled to the first and second lateral ends 250, 255 and thefirst and second vertical ends 260, 265; wherein the lateral ends 250,255 and vertical ends 260, 265 extend into the open bore verticalsupport 110 and each vertical end 260, 265 rests on at least one apronbladder 104 of an apron bladder bundle 105, 106. The at least one apronbladder 104 is contained in the open bore vertical support 110 and atleast one apron bladder 104 is between the vertical ends 260, 265 of theelongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 and the bottom 80 of thebody of water 83 so that the at least one apron bladder 104 releasablyforms a seal 82 with the bottom 80 of the body of water 83.

In one embodiment, the Bladder Apron(s) 104 may advantageously rely on aApron Bladder Bundle(s) 105, 106, such as the Soft Touch Union BladderSystem (STUBS) to help form a constant, surface conforming, loadbalancing soft bladder seal 82 with the bottom 80 of the water bed.Hereinafter, “bladder” is defined as a distensible, flexible membrane orsac containing a liquid having a density greater than the fluid in thebody of water 83 or an interlocking internal (endoskeletal) network thathelps the bladder retain a solid shape while also having a flexibleshape. The bundles 105, 106 may be configured into Frame Apron BladderBundles (FABBs), such as High Rise 80 a and 80 f, A-Frame 80 b, A-FrameMixed 80 c, V-Framed 80 d, M-Framed 80 e designed for “soft touching”the bottom 80 of the body of water such as a sea bed, as depicted inFIGS. 8A-8F and described in associated text.

The Apron bladder(s) 104 or the elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider 49 may be made of flexible material selected from the groupconsisting of polyurethane polymers, silicone polymers, polyesterpolymers, polystyrene polymers, natural or synthetic rubber, high or lowdensity polyethylene, high or low density polypropylene, and polyamidepolymers. The apron bladder(s) 104 may have any appropriate solidgeometric shape such as polygon, cubic, cylindrical, spherical,pyramidal, rhomboid or conical. The BBS may shrink the area beneath theelongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 (Bladder Sheets (BBS)) andreduces the quantity of water to be handled when recovering an artifact76. In one embodiment, the BBS reduce the quantity of water to befiltered within a contaminated site during artifact 76 recovery bydeflating the apron bladders 104 of the BBS by removing the fluid viapipe 149 by opening valve 56. In one preferred embodiment, the apronbladders 104 may be intercommunicating through intercommunicating tubes58, so that the pressure within the apron bladders 104 isself-equalizing, thereby enabling “soft touching” the bottom 80 of thebody of water such as a sea bed, as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8F anddescribed in associated text. Conduits 70 may house coaxial cables orother appropriate wiring to supply the viewing devices 105 a and 105 bwith electricity and to provide a data highway over which pictures of acontained area 93 of artifacts 76 and/or invasive species 12, 13 may beprojected to another location for remote viewing. The invasive species12 may be Zebra Mussels, or 13 Eurasian watermilfoil, ruffe, and otherinvasive species pose a severe threat to waters and native aquaticplants and animals. Hydrilla is one example of a very invasive plantfound “hitchhiking” on rootstocks of ornamental aquatic plants. Inaddition, the viewing devices 105 a and 105 b may be equipped withlights for illuminating the contained area 93, such as waterproofelectrically powered lights or with light sticks that may be illuminatedby chemiluminescence.

The apparatus 100 may be a Suspension Active Mining Process forexcavating the contained precipitated sediment portion 78, comprisingwater/air return 145 a′ via valve 52, water/air supply 145 b′ via valve53 respectively, water/air Jets 62 to agitating devices 61 via a valve55, and additive site 60, such as a chemical injection system 120, 121,through chemical injector(s) 270 via a valve 51.

The apparatus 100, such as the Suspension Active Mining Processexcavates the contained precipitated sediment portion 78 surrounding theartifacts 76 by putting the contained precipitated sediment portion 78into suspension so that the contained suspended water and sediment 152results. The apparatus 100, such as the Suspension Active Mining Processuses agitating devices 61, such as jets, augers, props, pumps whips andtransports via pipe lines 147 a and 147 b the suspended contained waterand sediment to be processed by the closed-loop piping apparatus 100 oropen loop piping apparatus 200 disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/918,257, authored by the same inventor, Thomas J. Kryzak, as thecurrent application and is hereby incorporated by reference.

The apparatus 100, such as the General Exploration Advanced ResearchSystem (GEARS) uses the Dive Inspection Visual Exploration System(DIVES), the Dive Integrated Mechanical Extraction System (DIMES), andthe Alternative Recovery Method System (ARMS) together with the Grantingearth Box (GEB). The DIVES uses the GEB's light weight, clear view,screen vision camera 105 b for “hands on” artifact 76 recovery. TheDIMES uses the GEB's “mechanical tools” 116 to retrieve artifacts 76 bybut not limited to drilling, coring sawing, grinding, impacting,blasting or jetting delivery techniques using air, gases, bubbles,chemicals, materials, water or other appropriate substances orcombinations. The ARMS uses the apron bladder bundle 105, 106, such asthe GEB's Bladder Order System to infiltrate, surround and/or supportthe artifacts 76 with the Bladder Inflating Net System (BINS).

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 may be recharged withuncontaminated water from an independent water supply other than thebody of water 83 (not shown) via intake pipes 60. Intake pipes 60 andtransporting pipes 147 a and 147 b may be opened for use by removinghatches 63.

FIG. 2 depicts a front cross-sectional view of the elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider 49 of FIG. 1, showing exploded views of theagitating devices 210, 215, 61, recovery devices 216, or processingdevices 120 and 121 or sample sites(s) 205 having been inserted throughthe elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 of the apparatus 100.Processing devices 120 and 121 for adding chemical additives toexterminate invasive species 12 or 13 comprise adder ports 62 and 62′introducing chemical additives such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide,accelerators, decelerators, feeding, starving, precluding light orsuffocating agents through openings or pipes 150 and 160 in the bladderto control the growth of or kill the invasive organisms. The processingdevices 120 and 121 comprise control valves 51, 51 a and 52 and 52 arespectively for starting and stopping flow into the processing devices120 and 121. The apparatus 100 comprises a water/air supply 60 and 60′for supplying water/air to agitation devices 61 via pipes 55 a′-c′, and55 a-c respectively, said pipes have been inserted through the elongateflexible bladder blanket divider 49. The sample site 205 may be used fortaking samples for analysis of the level of contamination of thecontained water and suspended sediment 152 and for inserting growthpackets 700 for revegetation. Alternatively, the growth packets 700 maybe introduced through hatch 63 of growth packet introduction system 252.The growth packets 700 are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6, infra, anddescribed in associated text and have been previously disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/918,257, cited herein, authored by thesame inventor, Thomas J. Kryzak, and are hereby incorporated byreference.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be used for recoveringhistorical artifacts 76, eradicating invasive species 12, 13 orrestoring plant life, comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanketdivider 49 having first and second ends, 250, 255, wherein each end 250,255 rests on at least one apron bladder 104 of an apron bladder bundle105, 106, and wherein each apron bladder 104 is between the respectiveend 250, 255 of the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 and thebottom 80 of a body of water 83.

FIG. 4 depicts an apparatus 200 for removing and treating materials in abody of water, disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/918,257,authored by the same inventor, Thomas J. Kryzak, as the currentapplication, hereby incorporated by reference, showing growth packets780.

FIGS. 1-2 and 6 depict a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus 900,such as the Stretch Exploration Process (SEP) also offers the AquaticControlled Eradication Systems (ACES). The Controlled Invasive SpeciesTravel System (CISTS) uses the Controlled Aquatic Vegetation EradicationSystem (CAVES) along with the Bladder Boundary System (BBS) to protectnative species from displacement and destruction. The Soft Touch UnionBladder System protects the bottom 80 of the body of water 83 (e.g. seabed) during project work and enables the use of Species Life CycleCatalysts (LCCS). As LCCS accelerators or decelerators, additives orstabilizers, inhibitors, reducers, eliminators, produce a profoundeffect on the preservation of native species. This feeding or starvingwith light, CO₂, oxygen, water movement, chemicals, microbes of algaecan either enhance or suffocate life. The “Closed Loop Piping System”,i.e. the apparatus 100 disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/918,257, authored by the same inventor, Thomas J. Kryzak, as thecurrent application and is hereby incorporated by reference can filterin or out life to the selected species. In areas where the invasivespecies 13 has been annihilated new introductions of native species canbe reintroduced using the SEP to protect, promote, feed, water,energize, and advance growth.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates a flow chart of a method 600 of recoveringhistorical artifacts 76, eradicating invasive species 12, 13, orrevegetating plant life, such as using growth packet 700. In the step620 of the method 600, recovering historical artifacts 76, eradicatinginvasive species 12, 13, or revegetating plant life in contaminatedbottoms 80 of a body of water 83, comprising: providing an apparatus 100comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 having firstand second ends 250, 255 and first and second vertical ends 260, 265; anopen bore vertical support 110 operably coupled to the first and secondlateral ends 250, 255 and the first and second vertical ends 260, 265;wherein each lateral end 250, 255 extends into the open bore verticalsupport 110 and rests on at least one apron bladder 104 of an apronbladder bundle 105, 106. The at least one apron bladder 104 is containedin the open bore vertical support 110 and at least one apron bladder 104is between the vertical ends 260, 265 of the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider 49 and the bottom 80 of the body of water 83 so that theat least one apron bladder 104 releasably forms a seal 82 with thebottom 80 of the body of water 83.

In the step 660 of the method 600, removing the contained water andcontaminated sediment 152, resulting in lowering the elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider 49 so that the historical artifact 76 may beextracted with a robotic arm 116, chemicals may be introduced usingchemical injector(s) 270 to eradicate the invasive species 12, 13, orgrowth packets 700 may be introduced using the sample site 205 or growthpacket introduction system 252 to revegetate the bottom 80 of the bodyof water 83. Hereinafter, “revegetate” is defined as to replant nativespecies in place of invasive plant species.

The apparatus 100, 900 may be “lowered” into position in the directionof the arrow 280 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6, by mechanical or othermeans, in accordance with the step 660 of the method 600, as describedinfra, and depicted in FIG. 2. By introducing air/water/materials intothe interior 50 of the apparatus 100, 900, as described in the step 660of the method 600, the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49 maybe moved deeper into the bottom 80 of the body of water 83, resulting increating a releasable seal 82 at the edge 78′ of the apparatus 100, thatmay be formed from sediment 78′ and mud 85′ of the bottom 80 outside ofthe apparatus 100, 900 pressing against the edge 78′ and either sediment78, mud 85 or the bedrock 87, depending on how deep the apparatus 100,900 was driven. The releasable seal 82 thereby may isolate the interior93 from the water 150, and/or the bottom 80 of the body of water 83,that may be outside the apparatus 100, 900.

In the providing step 620 of the method 600, the apparatus 100, 900 maybe partially submerged or completely submerged below the surface 81 ofthe body of water 83, as long as the edge 78′ directly and physicallycontacts the bottom 80 of the body of water 83.

In the resuspending step 640 of the method 600, agitating devices 61,such as augers, spray heads, whips, props, fluid and gas distributiondevices, etc. may provide agitation of the interior 93 of the apparatus100, 900, resulting in suspending a portion or essentially all of thebottom material, e.g., 78, or 85 of the bottom 80 that may be containedin the interior 93 of the apparatus 100, wherein the suspended portionmay include the contaminated material. The contaminated material may bea range from 0-100 percent by weight of the total material of the bottom80 in the interior 93 of the vessel 110.

In the step 640, a rate of agitation necessary to suspend thecontaminated material, for example, in locations around the artifact 76may be empirically determined, based on the weight percent of the bottommaterial targeted for removal, wherein higher agitation may be needed tosuspend more of the portion of the bottom 80 having contaminatedmaterial. The contaminated suspended material in the water and suspendedmaterial 152 may be conveyed through the “closed loop” piping system or“open loop” piping system to a processing system 140 such as a filtersystem having in-line chemical testing equipment in order to identifythe suspended materials that may be contaminated and to separate themfrom a fluid such as water in the suspended material and water 152, asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/918,257 and herebyincorporated by reference.

In an embodiment of the method 600, in the step 620, video monitoringusing devices 820, 850 and 910, the lowering of the elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider 49, 749 so that the devices 820, 850 and 910visualize the contours of a bottom of a body of water 780, wherein thecontours are created by objects selected from the group consisting ofhistorical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris, wherein saidvisualization of the contours of the bottom of the body of water enablesan operator of the apparatus to lower the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider 49, 749 to a distance within from about 1 inch orgreater of the objects without touching the object.

In an embodiment, removing the resuspended contaminated sediment 795results in greater than 95 percent by weight removal of the chemicalcontamination or greater than 95 percent by weight eradication of theinvasive species 712, 713.

In an embodiment, introducing chemicals, accelerators, decelerators,feeding, starving, precluding light or suffocating agents throughopenings in the bladder controls the growth of or kills the invasivespecies 712, 713.

FIG. 6 depicts a front cross-sectional view of an apparatus forrecovering historical artifacts 705, eradicating invasive species 712,713, or restoring plant life with, for example, growth packets 700,comprising: an elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49, 749 havingfirst and second ends, 750, 755; and an open bore vertical support 710operably coupled to the first and second ends 750, 755; wherein each end750 755 extends into the open bore vertical support 710 and rests on atleast one apron bladder 704 of an apron bladder bundle 706, 707, andwherein the at least one bladder 704 is contained in the open borevertical support 710 support and at least one apron bladder 704 isbetween the end 750, 755 of the vertical support 710 and the bottom 780of the body of water 783.

The apparatus 900 comprises a recirculating/heating/cooling tube bundle1150. The tube bundle 1150 may be a recirculating heat exchanger capableof controlling the temperature of the contained water and resuspendedsediment 795 in the second compartment 793 from about 5° C. to about 50°C. Arrows 1170 show fluid from the second compartment 793 recirculatesin and out of the recirculating/heating/cooling tube bundle 1150. Theapparatus 900 may comprise agitation devices 1165 which may ejectair/water supplied by feed lines 1160.

FIG. 6 depicts a front cross-sectional view of the interior 635 of theelongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49, 749 comprises aninterlinking network of reinforcing bundles 640.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 900, comprising a recovery device, 716,a eradicating device 890, or a revegetation device 930 selected from thegroup consisting of GPS 940, lights, 810, monitoring 820, sonar 830,radar 840, cameras 850, chemical injectors 860, robotic calipers 716,agitating devices 870, augers 880, drill heads 890, suction devices 900,video monitoring devices 910, and nozzles 920, inserted through theelongate flexible bladder blanket 749.

FIG. 6 depicts a recovery device 716, such as robotic calipers 725 forgrasping artifacts 705. The recovery device 716 may slide longitudinallyalong gantry 718, and pivot from about 0 to about 360° in the directionof arrow 720. The robotic caliper comprises an electrode for carbon arcgouging, an underwater torch, an underwater heat cauterizer forballistically heating to destroy underwater vegetation, a shovel, adrill, core maker, a lazer for precision cutting metal, artifacts,vegetation, glass, stone, a chipper blade attachment, a saw, a vibratorfor cleaning fine debris off artifacts, a light, a camera, a sonartransmitter/receiver, x-ray or magnetic metal detector, a screen forsegregating and isolating small objects having diameters from about 0.1mm and greater from smaller objects.

In one embodiment, the apron bladders 704 contain an intercommunicatingfluid that is denser than the fluid of the outside environment so thatthe apron bladders 704 sink to the bottom 780 of the body of water 83and conform to the contours of the bottom 80 of the body of water 83,thereby forming a releasable seal 600 between the apron bladders 104,704 and the bottom 780 of the body of water 783. The intercommunicatingfluid may be changed to the apron bladders 704 through feed tubes 1155.

In one embodiment, the fluid is a slurry mix having a density greaterthan the fluid of the body of water 83 so that transferring the slurrymix into the apron bladders 104, 704 through intercommunicating tubes610 causes the apron bladder bundles 706, 707 to become heavier than thefluid of the body of water 83 so the bladder bundles 706, 707 rest onthe bottom 780 of the body of water 783.

In one embodiment, the video monitoring device 820 or camera 850visualizes the contours of a bottom 80 of the body of water 83, whereinthe contours are created by objects selected from the group consistingof historical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris, wherein saidvisualization of the contours of the bottom 780 of the body of water 783enables an operator of the apparatus 900 to lower the elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider 49, 749 in a direction of the arrow 280 to adistance within from about 1 inch or greater of the objects withouttouching the object.

In one embodiment, the temperature of the environment inside 793 theapparatus 900 is increased or decreased relative to the outsidetemperature by introducing heating or refrigerating fluids or gases intothe open bores 620 of the at least one vertical support 710.

In one embodiment, an inner 625 or outer 630 hatch door opens into theinterior of either vertical support to provide access into the apparatus900, including the apron bladders 704.

In one embodiment, the interior 635 of the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider 49, 749 comprises an interlinking network of reinforcingbundles 640.

In one embodiment, the interlinking network of reinforcing bundles 640have a shape selected from the group consisting of polygon, cubic,cylindrical, spherical, pyramidal, rhomboid or conical, and combinationsthereof.

FIGS. 5, 9, 10, and 11 depict front cross-sectional views of theinterlinking network of reinforcing bundles 1050, 1090, 1120, and 1100.The reinforcing bundles 1050, 1090, 1120, and 1100 may be solid tubularstructures to form a honeycomb reinforcing structure 1120 such as thebundles 1110, depicted in FIG. 10. Alternatively, they may be hollowtubes 1105, 1096, 1056, as in FIGS. 11, 9 and 5. The tubes 1096 and 1056may be arranged in concentric rings as in FIGS. 5 and 9. Generally, thegreater number of tubes leads to a stronger, but less flexible bundle.The bundles may be made using nano technology in which the tubes may behollowed out by a chemical reaction such as selective oxidation.

In one embodiment, the elongate flexible bladder blanket divider 49, 749is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethanepolymers, silicone polymers, polyester polymers, polystyrene polymers,natural or synthetic rubber, high or low density polyethylene, high orlow density polypropylene, and polyamide polymers.

In one embodiment, the eradicating device 890 is at least one chemicalinjector 860 for controlling the growth of the invasive species 712,713, in the body of water 783 selected from the group consisting ofinvasive plant species, zebra muscles and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the invasive species are selected from the groupconsisting of toxic caulerpa taxifolia, loosestrife, milfoil, ruffe andhydrilla.

In one embodiment, the recovery device 716 is a robotic caliper forremoving the historical artifact from the body of water.

In one embodiment, the robotic caliper comprises an electrode for carbonarc gouging, an underwater torch, an underwater heat cauterizer forballistically heating to destroy underwater vegetation, a shovel, adrill, core maker, a lazer for precision cutting metal, artifacts,vegetation, glass, stone, a chipper blade attachment, a saw, a vibratorfor cleaning fine debris off artifacts, a light, a camera, a sonartransmitter/receiver, x-ray or magnetic metal detector, a screen forsegregating and isolating small objects having diameters from about 0.1mm and greater from smaller objects.

In one embodiment, the revegetation device 930 is a nozzle 920 forplanting a growth packet 700 in the bottom of the body of water.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 900 includes a system for recoveringhistorical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, or restoring plantlife in contaminated bottoms of a body of water, comprising: a watercraft 1000 and a mechanical lifting device 1010; and the apparatus 900.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 800 for controlling invasive organisms 12,13 such as milfoil, zebra mussels, certain plants that grow out ofcontrol. In a step 820 of the method 800, an apparatus 900 havingvariable volume first and second compartments 793, 797, separated by aflexible bladder blanket divider 49, 749 is provided. In the step 820,the volume of the second compartment 793 of the apparatus 900 decreaseswhen the bladder blanket divider 49, 749 is moved in a direction of thearrow 280 toward a bottom 780 of the body of water 783. In a step 840 ofthe method 800, chemicals, accelerators, decelerators, feeding,starving, precluding light or suffocating agents are introduced throughintercommunicating tubes 58 in the bladder 104, 704 to control thegrowth of or kill the invasive organisms.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications andchanges will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications andchanges as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. An apparatus for recovering historical artifacts, eradicatinginvasive species, or restoring plant life, comprising: an elongateflexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends, whereineach end rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle,and wherein each apron bladder is between the respective end of theelongate flexible bladder blanket divider and the bottom of a body ofwater.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a recovery device, aeradicating device, or a revegetation device selected from the groupconsisting of GPS, lights, sonar, radar, cameras, chemical injectors,robotic calipers, agitating devices, augers, drill heads, suctiondevices, video monitoring devices, and nozzles, inserted through theelongate flexible bladder blanket.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apron bladders contain an intercommunicating fluid that is denserthan the fluid of the outside environment so that the apron bladderssink to the bottom of the body of water and conform to the contours ofthe bottom of the body of water.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe fluid is a slurry mix having a density greater than the fluid of thebody of water so that transferring the slurry mix into the apronbladders causes the bladder bundles to become heavier than the fluid ofthe body of water so the bladder bundles rest on the bottom of the bodyof water.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the video monitoringdevice visualizes the contours of a bottom of a body of water, whereinthe contours are created by objects selected from the group consistingof historical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris, wherein saidvisualization of the contours of the bottom of the body of water enablesan operator of the apparatus to lower the elongate flexible bladderblanket divider to a distance within from about 1 inch or greater of theobjects without touching the object.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising a sample site inserted through the flexible blanket divider.7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an air/water agitation devicethrough the flexible blanket divider.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the interior of the elongate flexible bladder blanket dividercomprises an interlinking network of reinforcing bundles.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the interlinking network of reinforcingbundles have a shape selected from the group consisting of polygon,cubic, cylindrical, spherical, pyramidal, rhomboid or conical, andcombinations thereof.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongateflexible bladder blanket divider is made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of polyurethane polymers, silicone polymers, polyesterpolymers, polystyrene polymers, natural or synthetic rubber, high or lowdensity polyethylene, high or low density polypropylene, and polyamidepolymers.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the eradicating deviceis at least one chemical injector for controlling the growth of theinvasive species in the body of water selected from the group consistingof invasive plant species, zebra muscles and combinations thereof. 12.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the invasive species are selected fromthe group consisting of toxic caulerpa taxifolia, loosestrife, milfoil,ruffe and hydrilla.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recoverydevice is a robotic caliper for removing the historical artifact fromthe body of water.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the roboticcaliper comprises an electrode for carbon arc gouging, an underwatertorch, an underwater heat cauterizer for ballistically heating todestroy underwater vegetation, a shovel, a drill, core maker, a lazerfor precision cutting metal, artifacts, vegetation, glass, stone, achipper blade attachment, a saw, a vibrator for cleaning fine debris offartifacts, a light, a camera, a sonar transmitter/receiver, x-ray ormagnetic metal detector, a screen for segregating and isolating smallobjects having diameters from about 0.1 mm and greater from smallerobjects.
 15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the revegetation deviceis a nozzle for planting a growth packet in the bottom of the body ofwater.
 16. A method of recovering historical artifacts, eradicatinginvasive species, or revegetating plant life in contaminated bottoms ofa body of water, comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: anelongate flexible bladder blanket divider having first and second ends,wherein each end rests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladderbundle, and wherein each apron bladder is between the respective end ofthe elongate flexible bladder blanket divider and the bottom of a bodyof water; and releasably sealing the at least one apron bladder to thebottom of the body of water.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising:resuspending contaminated sediment inside the apparatus; and removingthe resuspended contaminated sediment, resulting in lowering theelongate flexible bladder blanket divider so that the artifact may beextracted with a robotic arm, chemicals may be introduced using chemicalinjectors to eradicate the invasive species, or growth packets may beintroduced using nozzles to revegetate the bottom of the body of water.18. The method of claim 16, comprising: video monitoring the lowering ofthe elongate flexible bladder blanket divider so that the videomonitoring device visualizes the contours of a bottom of a body ofwater, wherein the contours are created by objects selected from thegroup consisting of historical artifacts, metal drums, rocks, debris,wherein said visualization of the contours of the bottom of the body ofwater enables an operator of the apparatus to lower the elongateflexible bladder blanket divider to a distance within from about 1 inchor greater of the objects without touching the object.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein removing the resuspended contaminated sediment resultsin greater than 95 percent by weight removal of the chemicalcontamination or greater than 95 percent by weight eradication of theinvasive species.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein introducingchemicals, accelerators, decelerators, feeding, starving, precludinglight or suffocating agents through openings in the bladder controls thegrowth of or kills the invasive species.
 21. The method of claim 16,comprising providing a sample site for taking samples for analysis ofthe level of contamination of the contained water and suspended sedimentand for inserting growth packets for revegetation.
 22. The method ofclaim 16, comprising providing a water/air supply for supplyingwater/air to agitation devices via pipes that have been inserted throughthe elongate flexible bladder blanket divider.
 23. A system forrecovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasive species, orrestoring plant life in contaminated bottoms of a body of water,comprising: a water craft; an apparatus comprising: an elongate flexiblebladder blanket divider having first and second ends, wherein each endrests on at least one apron bladder of an apron bladder bundle, andwherein each apron bladder is between the respective end of the elongateflexible bladder blanket divider and the bottom of a body of water. 24.The system for recovering historical artifacts, eradicating invasivespecies, or restoring plant life in contaminated bottoms of a body ofwater of claim 23, comprising: raising or lowering the apparatus using amechanical device of the barge.